A Dozen Reasons

Chapter 4- The Letter

My Dad and I were traveling to Chicago. We had just left Florida and were now traveling into Georgia. He was on the phone with his boss, Bob. And I...well, I was holding the last thing my best friend, Kevin, had given me.

A letter.

I stared at the handwriting. Kevin had always been a bit eccentric, so it made sense his writing was too.

I began to read.

"Dear Jasmine,

I'm not so great at letters, but this is pretty important. You're probably on the way to Chicago now, and I hope it's not too late. I have a secret that I've kept for the longest. "

"Jasmine, I have some good news." I snapped up to my dad's voice, he was looking at me through the rearview mirror. "I have been telling Bob about your love for music and art, and he informed me that he has set up an audition for next week at one of the top school of arts. How does that sound, kiddo?"

"That sounds great, Dad." It might have seemed that I was a bit unenthusiastic about it, but I really was. Music and art are my passion. And being able to get into one of the top school of arts is...an enormous opportunity!

"What do you have there?" My dad was mentioning the letter in my hand.

"Um...it's just a l-, "Ring. Ring. My dad answered his cell. Whew, saved by the bell, well, technically ring.

Since my dad was busy, I continued reading.

"I just need to let you know. Jasmine Elizabeth Alva, I'm in love with you."

What!?.

I kept reading.

"Please don't freak, Jay. I just needed to let you know. We've grown up with each other, and at first, I wanted to deny these feelings for you. I wanted to see you just as a friend. But I couldn't. Whenever I would spend time with you, it gave me more reason to love you. When I'm not with you, all I can think of is being with you. You consume my every thought and dreams.

I felt that if I don't tell you now. I never will. And it will kill me if you were to never know my real feelings. Now that you left, I had to. Don't forget to call me or text me. I'll be waiting. I love you.

With all my love,

Kevin."

I was completely speechless.

Buzz. Buzz. Buzz. My phone was vibrating. I reached into my purse and pulled my phone out.

Text message

I clicked to view the message.

From: Kevin

Message: Hey

Should I answer? I just don't know if I can talk to him now. I mean, him being in love with me is huge! To be honest, I don't know how to react.

To: Kevin

Message: Hey Kev.

From: Kevin

Message: Where r u now?

To: Kevin

Message: In GA.

From: Kevin

Message: Oh ok. So... how r u doing?

I just found out that my best friend is in love with me. How do you think I'm feeling?

To: Kevin

Message: Okay. U?

From: Kevin

Message: Good. Well txt me when u get in2 IL.

To: Kevin

Message: Ok. Will do.Ttyl.

From: Kevin

Message: =)

I looked out the window and saw red orange bursts color the sky. The sun was setting. I closed my eyes. My mind reminisced over the times Kevin and I were together.

When we were eight, we went to the county fair. Kevin begged we get on the Ferris wheel, but I was terrified of heights. In the end, we got on and he held my hand the whole time and told me I was safe with him.

I smiled at the memory.

We were nine, and my mother had died. At the cemetery, Kevin stood by me when they were lowering my mother into the grave. I remember the sense of despair and thinking I won't ever see my mother again. I had begun to cry and Kevin wrapped his arms around me and I wept on his shoulder.

Weeks after my mom's death, my dad threw himself into work. I guess he tried everything to keep his mind busy from thinking about mom. Kevin knew I was still taking everything so hard, so he spent nights at my house, and would wake up in the middle of the night when I was crying and hold me.

I opened my eyes.

Kevin had been there for me through everything. I let out a shaky sigh. How could I not love him? I was so confused. Hopefully, tomorrow my head will be clearer.